Japan provides US$4.3 million to assist the most vulnerable children and families affected by the Syria crisis in Lebanon

Beirut, 14 May 2014 – The Government of Japan has
contributed US$4.3 million to UNICEF’s emergency response in providing safe
water, adequate sanitation, health and child protection services to the most
vulnerable Syrian children and families in Lebanon and Lebanese host
communities.

“With up to 13,000 new Syrian refugees arriving in Lebanon, half of which are
children under-18, every week, it is urgent that essential services are scaled
up to meet their basic needs,” said Ms. Annamaria Laurini, UNICEF’s
Representative in Lebanon, during a joint visit yesterday with his Excellency
the Ambassador of Japan to UNICEF-supported interventions in the Bekaa valley
today.

“We are very grateful to the
people of Japan; these funds will help ensure the most vulnerable children and
families affected by the Syria crisis have access to urgently needed services.”

Through these funds, around 20,000 Syrian refugees living in informal
settlements will receive urgently needed access to safe water and adequate
sanitation facilities. Additionally, some 10,000 Syrian refugees and Lebanese
hosts will benefit from repairs and rehabilitation of local water networks.

The funds will also support
UNICEF in providing access to primary health care services for more than
100,000 refugees living in informal settlements through Mobile Medical Units.
In addition, screening of up to 40,000 children for malnutrition and the
provision of essential micronutrient supplements for 8,000 pregnant and
lactating women will be realised.

“We are proud to support UNICEF’s efforts
to improve the well-being of Syrian refugee children in Lebanon and assist the
most vulnerable Lebanese host communities and provide some relief for children
who have experienced more than any child should,” stated Mr. Seiichi Otsuka,
the Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon,

“As we approach the summer season clean
water and sanitation facilities become critical to the wellbeing of children to
ensure they stay healthy.” Added his Excellency Mr. Otuska, “We hope that the
contribution from the people of Japan will help UNICEF in its efforts to scale
up access to clean water and sanitation for all Syrian refugee children in
informal tented settlements”

Lebanon hosts the largest
number of refugees from the crisis in Syria in the region, with over one
million registered refugees. UNICEF is supporting the Government of Lebanon to
ensure access to safe water, adequate sanitation, hygiene promotion, basic health
care, education, and child protection services to all Syrian refugee children
and most vulnerable host communities in Lebanon.

Please
find below a link to download high resolution photos of the joint visit to
Bekaa valley:

UNICEF promotes the rights and
wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we
work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into
practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and
excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.